Saturday, April 17, 2010

Owens introduces bill to help maple producers


WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Bill Owens has introduced legislation designed to help maple producers increase production and promote economic development and job creation.

House resolution 5011, the Maple Tapping Access Program Act of 2010, would direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to let state and tribal governments apply for grants to create programs that encourage landowners to allow access to their property for maple tapping.

"Agricultural development is economic development," Owens said in a press release. "The more opportunity we provide for our local agriculture leaders and small-business owners, the better chance our community has at a complete economic recovery.

"We have an abundance of untapped maple trees, and providing resources for our maple producers to expand their operations will benefit our entire area."

The release states the country imports four times the maple syrup that is produced domestically, and only one of every 250 maple trees is tapped. The act would promote use of almost 2 billion additional taps.

Larry Rudd, representative of the New York State Board of Maple Producers for Lewis, Oneida, Oswego and Jefferson counties, said the measure would immensely increase production and create a large economic impact.
Read more HERE from The Press Republican

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